Brown Derby or Mama Melrose???

[vicb]

Seeking opinions:
If only one, which would you pick for dinner and why?

Anyone know if we would need to do Fantas. pkg. the week AFTER Pres. week in Feb??? Did it in early Feb. and really was unnecessary.

Will be DH, myself, DD (11) and DS (8) this trip.

TIA

 

[miko]

My personal choice would be the Brown Derby. Momma's is nice but nothing special. With kids I might choose Momma's, choices at Brown Derby might not attract younger folks. Both will give you a fair meal at a mid-range price.
I have been in Feb and afer Pres. weekend it does get pretty light. You probably could wait to the day you plan on going to MGM to make your final decesion about Fantasmic Package.
Have fun!

 

[Lisa F]

We have made a tradition of going to a higher end restaurant on NYE when we visit the parks for dinner. Last year we did MGM and went to the Brown Derby. I have always loved the place but my husband and our friends were so-so on the idea. We ended up having the best meal of our trip there, the food was soooo good. Mama Melrose USED to be one of our favorites but every time we've gone there the food and service was worse and worse, we finally gave up for a while. I love the atmosphere so I hope it improves at some point.

Lisa

 

[photobob]

Haven't been to Brown Derby, but Mama Melroses has become a family favorite. The four of us each got a different flatbread pizza and shared and absolutely loved it, they are fantastic. We went at lunch moments after it opened and few folks were in there. The layout of the restaurant is such that you aren't cramped even when it is busy..

 

[profdsny]

We have done both. Brown Derby really isn't a kids' restaurant though. They have choices for them, but I think the whole effect is lost on them. We did Mama recently. Very good. But after a terrible time getting PS, we finally were able to get some, only to find the place half-empty on arrival. Food was very good there, though, and the kids enjoyed it more than they would have BD.

 

[becka]

Well I have never eaten at MM but we love Brown Derby. The atmosphere and service is fantastic and the food is terrific as well.

However, with that being said the atmosphere may not appeal to all kids. You know your kids best so if you think they would prefer a more family style atmosphere then I would go with MM. If they like the more upscale style then definitely don't miss BD.

 

[karen1]

Just ate at Brown Derby for the 1st time on 7/9 and loved it!!! We ate at Mama Melrose last yr for FDP and thought it was OK. But after eating at Brown Derby we will return there next yr!!!

 

[DeeP]

I have eaten at both many times and love both but both are also very different. Brown Derby is a much more upscale restaurant with upscale prices also. Mama's is like eating in a good little Italian restuarant in Little Italy in NYC or Philly. Very good food, amazing decorations and decor, a lot of Sinatra and Dean Martin etc records on the walls, a very casual atmosphere, with good food at fairly reasonable prices for Disney. When I am in the mood for a great flatbread, a nice salad and some fried calamari and eggplant parm, Mamas is where I go. For a fancier dinner with much more upscale entrees, Brown Derby is wonderful. I love their filet, cobb salad, grouper, and mushroom appetizer.

 

[Bex0909]

I have never eaten at Brown Derby (menu appeals to me but not my meat-and-potatoes family), but we ate at Mamma Melrose in June and we were SO not impressed. The food was marginal, the service so-so, and it just wasn't worth the price. The atmosphere is okay, but not anything special in my opinion. I wouldn't go there again.

 

[The Disney Bunch]

Brown Derby hands down. The food and the atmosphere is far superior to Mama Melrose's in my book.